Millpond

A selected range of Australian Colonial and European antiques & collectors' items is available at Millpond, a sample of which may be viewed here. Our stock will expand to its usual comprehensive size once our galleries are completed over the course of the following year so please ask if you have any special interests. Sold items are listed last, please let us know if you are looking for something similar as we have very extensive contacts internationally and can source almost anything.

Please click "contact us" to enquire about any item listed for sale

An important portrait miniature of Australian colonial interest, depicting William Lawson Junior, son of William Lawson the explorer, in original 15c gold frame with woven hair locket.

$12,000 Sold

A very rare composite set of Australian colonial cottage chairs in cedar by the celebrated Braidwood cabinet maker Roderick McDonald, circa 1860, comprising three chairs with baluster turned legs and orange paper labels for McDonald's Elrington Street, Braidwood, cabinet works, and three very similar chairs from the same maker but unlabelled. The latter three have had old replacement cedar plank seats and have hence lost their labels which were affixed under these. Old finish coated with later shellac, with a set of six padded seat cushions in green velvet. Usual wear to feet and general old repairs consistent with age. (6) Provenance: James Keyte, Keyte's Store, Major's Creek; and Anderson family, Braidwood, thence by descent

$8,000 Contact us

A stunning sterling silver Card Case by Nathaniel Mills, Birmingham, 1845, the front with an attractive flat chased panel with a mill scene, the back with flowers in a vase, surrounded with strapwork and scrolling, clear marks, crested with a bird emerging from a coronet. Sold

An Australian cedar tilt-top centre table, probably by Roderick McDonald, Braidwood, 1860s, in good original condition with an attractive old finish and fine honey-coloured patination, original hardware and gilt brass spring clip, concealed castors in turned bun feet, 110cm diameter, 68cm high

$1,500
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Wonderful 1930s Meccano Constructor car in original box with three alternative body designs and numerous accessories, in particularly good though not mint condition

$3,800 Sold

A delightful bronze vintage car mascot of a smiling Moon, shown on the cap for display only, but available with a similar period radiator cap if you wish, 900mm high

$450
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A very rare Australian mechanical car mascot by J Ogilvie of Sydney, 1918, nickel plated brass aircraft with spinning propellor. Ogilvie returned from WW1 and set up a small business making novelty car mascots several of which he patented. The patent number is stamped on the tail with his name. 200mm wide

$3,500 Sold

Charming mid-Victorian musical automated vignette with one air and two movements, to the water wheel and the sailing ship, in attractively decorated glass dome on ebonized base, English, 1850s, 360 mm high

$2,200
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The items below have recently been sold, however our stock changes frequently and we may have other, similar items. If you are interested in anything below please let us know and we will be happy to advise what else might be available.

Fine large cast iron garden urn, with detachable handles, and plinth. 900mm high, 1200 mm wide, painted black. Stunning as a garden centrepiece.

$1,500
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A spectacular and very rare Moores Patent Insurance Desk, circa 1875, in walnut with comprehensive fittings inside the two font doors, sloped writing surface, letter slot, fretwork gallery and part fitted rear. The matching rear opening section is missing however we can provide illustrations of the missing part. Restored, these sell for over US$40,000, so this is well worth the effort required.

Sold Contact us

The Askrigg Sideboard SOLD

an important early 19th century architectural sideboard of impressive scale in beautifully figured cedar. Totally original condition, last sold at Sotheby's in 1989.

$35,000
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A stunning full cedar Secretaire Chest of Drawers, Tasmanian, circa 1840, with beautifully figured friezes, fitted interior and totally original finish, last sold at Sotheby's in 1989.

Sold
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A remarkable 19th century English Coin-in-the-slot Barrel Piano, in polished beechwood case with clockwork movement playing ten popular tunes on a large paper-lined wooden barrel. Produced in England, Germany and America, this pattern of barrel piano was used in hotels, fairs and by street vendors who sometimes mounted them on a light street trolley. This excellent example formed part of the collection of Johnny Cash in the 1960s and was sold in London with his musical memorabilia in the late 1970s. In 2010 the enormous spring-wound motor was dismantled and refurbished by Roger Little, Horologist, in Canberra, and the spring re-fitted, at a cost of $2,000, and the piano works tuned and overhauled, leaving the instrument in very good condition.

Sold

An important Sheraton Revival Dressing Table, by George Betjeman, London,1920
$18,000

The figured mahogany case with matched veneers and satinwood string inlay, gilt brass fittings, on a detachable base for travelling, the top opening to reveal folding mirrors, pivoted fitted trays, glass shelves, jewellery cases and drawers, with original sterling silver and cut crystal dressing accessories, all marked for George Betjeman, London, 1920, in generally excellent order. Please ask for a detailed condition report. Four nearly identical cases have been sold in the past ten years, all made as commissions for opera singers, some finished in mahogany and some in satinwood. Realised auction prices for these cases in London and New York exceeded ten thousand pounds and one case reached twenty four thousand pounds.